The team of physicians at Northeast Radiation Oncology Center (NROC) is dedicated to providing the most advanced treatment and the highest standards of care. One way we do this is by offering cancer patients in Northeastern Pennsylvania the opportunity to participate in cancer clinical research trials sponsored by the National Cancer Institute (NCI). These trials are available at NROC, so patients do not have to travel long distances to benefit from state-of-the-art cancer therapies.

Cancer clinical trials are research studies conducted with patients to evaluate new treatments. Each study is designed to answer specific medical questions and to find new and better ways to help people with cancer.

Research trials sponsored by NCI are offered to patients only by experienced physicians in accredited facilities such as NROC. People decide to enroll in a clinical trial only after they have discussed the study thoroughly with their physician and they have made an informed decision to participate.

In most treatment studies, scientists seek to determine if new treatments are safe, effective, and superior to standard treatments. These cancer studies look at many types of treatments, such as new drugs or vaccines, new approaches to surgery, radiation therapy or chemotherapy, or new combinations of these treatments.

Other studies seek to improve the quality of life for cancer patients. Or, they may seek to find the most effective way to prevent a recurrence of cancer after treatment.

Cancer treatments currently available for patients often are the result of earlier clinical trials. In turn, today’s standard treatments may be the basis for new clinical trials to find better ways to treat cancer.

Still other research studies, known as prevention trials, look at ways to prevent cancer.

The doctors at NROC are accredited by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) to participate in cancer research trials. This means they have access to the newest, most advanced treatment protocols available in the country for cancer treatment.

Cancer treatment facilities that offer such state-of-the-art NCI-sponsored research must meet very high standards not demanded in non-participating institutions.

Patients who wish to benefit from these cancer clinical trials may do so only in cancer centers such as NROC that are accredited by the National Cancer Institute.